It is with deep sadness and grateful hearts for her life, the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids announce that Sister Mary Aquinas Weber, OP, has died after a short illness, returning to the arms of our loving God whom she faithfully served throughout her 102 years.
A beloved figure at Marywood, Aquinas College, and far beyond, Sister Mary Aquinas Weber, OP, lived and breathed the Dominican pillars of prayer, study, service, and community. In 1944, she entered the Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids, and at reception to vowed life, she was given the name “Aquinas.” How prophetic that name selection would be!
“Just as Jesus set his face toward Jerusalem for the mission before him, Sister Aquinas always set her face toward whatever mission and need Jesus was calling her to whether that was for the Church, for the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids, for the civic community, or, in particular for Aquinas College. The passing of Sister Aquinas is the end of an era. She was legendary in her leadership and, especially, in her faithfulness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to the Dominican charism of truth,” said Sister Megan McElroy, OP, Prioress of the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids.
This Midwest-born farm girl, with a voracious love of reading and learning and an early interest in fundraising for her school, grew up during the Depression, came of age during World War II, and then entered the workforce. Compassion, community service, and civic responsibility were already embedded in her psyche.
Born Lucille Weber on May 2, 1923, just south of Traverse City between Hannah and
Kingsley, Michigan, she was the daughter of Jacob and Anna Weber. One of eleven children
— nine boys and two girls — she developed a playful, competitive streak, often climbing
trees alongside her brothers on their family farm in a tight-knit German Catholic
community. Her indomitable spirit shone through in her conviction that “if my brothers
can do it, I can do it.”
In school, Lucille was inspired by the Dominican Sisters who taught her; it amazed her that women could be such formidable educators in every subject, even science. She graduated from Saint Mary’s High School in Hannah in 1940 as both salutatorian and class president. Afterward, her desire to see more of the world led her to Detroit, where she worked in the chemistry lab at Parke-Davis & Company Pharmaceuticals, helping to produce penicillin for soldiers during World War II. There she learned that, once married, the women who staffed the lab rarely remained, much less advanced, as employers assumed pregnancy would soon follow.
Lucille would be one of the few to leave Parke-Davis on her own terms and without
marrying. In 1944, inspired by the example of her teachers, she moved to Marywood
in Grand Rapids to pursue a life of teaching and of religious vocation, joining the
Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids. She entered the congregation older than most postulants,
having deliberately taken time to experience the world before answering her call.
Upon taking her final vows in 1948, she received the name, Sister Mary Aquinas, chosen for her by the Prioress and Council in honor of a distinguished educator: St. Thomas Aquinas.
Sister Aquinas attended Aquinas College and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1958. Following the completion of her degree, she taught at St. Stephen’s Parish School for eight years. Committed to a career in education, she served as teacher and principal at several schools, from East Grand Rapids to Bay City to Detroit.
After nearly a decade, Sister Aquinas returned to Marywood as Directress of Novices
at the House of Studies (now Hruby Hall at Aquinas College). In 1966, she was elected
Prioress of the Dominican Sisters, the youngest ever to serve in this leadership role,
and was entrusted with guiding the community of more than 800 Sisters through the
significant changes of Vatican II. She also encouraged young women discerning religious
life to spend time “living in the world” after high school before joining the community,
trusting that this experience would strengthen their vocation. Sister Aquinas served
as Prioress for six years.
Always mission-focused and cognizant of the signs of the times, Sister Aquinas said to her Sisters, “We must contemplate our responsibility as priestly people and our own willingness and ways to share the fruits of meditation and worship with others. There is a stirring in our consciences to assume responsibility for the needs of our neighbor.” That stirring of conscience would grow and contribute to the communal spirit of Holy experience at Marywood for years to come.
At nearly 50 years of age, Sister Aquinas returned to school, earning a master’s degree
in urban studies at the University of Michigan. The degree positioned her perfectly
to serve as liaison between Aquinas College and the Eastown neighborhood. Aquinas
College President Norbert Hruby invited her to join a team of faculty committed to
working with Eastown neighbors, revitalizing the area. For three years — while completing
her degree — she worked alongside community members to advocate for improved living
conditions and stronger neighborhood support systems, laying the groundwork for what
is now the Eastown Community Association. Her leadership in this work also led to her historic appointment as the first woman
on the Board of Trustees for Old Kent Financial Corporation, the parent company of
the former Old Kent Bank and Trust (now Fifth Third Bank) in Grand Rapids.
At Aquinas College, Sister Aquinas’ unwavering dedication to students, faculty, staff,
and alumni shaped generations of Saints and helped define the spirit of the College
itself. She served under all ten of Aquinas’ presidents, from the first president,
Monsignor Arthur Bukowski, to the current president, Sister Maureen Geary, OP. Her
strong, practical leadership on the Aquinas College Board of Trustees earned her the
deep respect of her colleagues, as she helped strengthen both the board and the College’s
overall governance. President Hruby once called her the “world’s best utility infielder,”
a tribute to her readiness to shift roles as needed, including stepping into fundraising.
She played a crucial role in helping the College gain financial footing and stabilize
its fiscal future. She eventually served as Vice President for Development and, in
1987, became the College’s first Chancellor. During the late 1990s, she continued
her work as Chancellor, acting as Special Assistant to the President and concentrating
her efforts on development, fundraising, and community outreach. Her leadership helped
secure the long-term stability of the College and solidify its place in the West Michigan
community. Until her death, Sister Aquinas served as Chancellor Emerita, continuing
to meet personally with donors. Her impact on the Dominican Sisters, Aquinas College,
the Grand Rapids community, and countless individuals cannot be overstated.
“It seems impossible to imagine Aquinas College without Sister Aquinas, yet she has prepared us well to carry on our mission,” said Sister Maureen Geary, OP, President of Aquinas College. “Her spirit of service was an inspiration to all who knew her. As much as she cherished this College, we cherished her and all that she brought to the Aquinas community. Her impact on the College will be felt for decades to come.”
Sister Aquinas’ record of service is long and distinguished. She served on many boards, including those of Metropolitan YMCA, St. John’s Home, Gleaners of West Michigan, Porter Hills Presbyterian Village, Hugh Michael Beahan Foundation, The Salvation Army, Grand Rapids Housing Authority Board, and Nazareth Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She sat on the Board of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, chairing the Conference’s Michigan/Indiana region. Sister Aquinas helped found Hospice of Greater Grand Rapids alongside Rabbi Albert Lewis and others. She served Aquinas College’s Emeritus College, a life-long learning program now known as the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Aquinas, as Director and in support roles.
Her many awards include the Notre Dame Club Honoree Award, the Jewish National Fund
Tree of Life Award, the Aquinas College Reflection Award, the Sister Elizabeth Ann
Seton Award from the Sisters of Charity in Cincinnati, the National Kidney Foundation
Galaxy Award, the Grand Rapids Rotary Award, the Second Harvest Gleaners Food Bank
Award, the Salvation Army Award, the Porter Hills Foundation Award, the Hugh Michael
Beahan Foundation Award, the Edward J. Frey Sr. Distinguished Achievement Award from
the Junior Achievement West Michigan Business Hall of Fame, the President’s Award
from the Association of Fundraising Professionals, an honorary doctorate from Aquinas
College, and the Slykhouse Lifetime Achievement Award from the Economic Club of Grand
Rapids.
At the age of 100, Sister Aquinas was the commencement speaker for Aquinas College’s Class of 2023. She told the graduates, “I have had many experiences in my life. I opened my heart and mind to accept what was asked of me. Because of that, my life experiences have taught me much. So I have advice to offer to all of you. These are my words of wisdom: Change is good. Many of you here today will change your job and career many times over the course of your lifetime. Do not be afraid of change, do not be afraid to experience life. Put your faith and trust in God that you will always be led to where you are supposed to be. Embrace life and all that it has to offer. Open your heart to all the possibilities the life you have offers.”
Always modest, Sister Aquinas avoided talking about herself, preferring instead to
lift up the communities she loved. “There’s always somebody there that helps you do what needs to be done,” she once said in an interview.
In Sister Aquinas’ honor, we turn to one another now, continuing her legacy of service, compassion, and steadfast commitment to doing what needs to be done. We give thanks for the extraordinary life and lasting influence of Sister Mary Aquinas Weber, OP, whose gifts will continue to enrich our community into the future.
Donations may be made to the Sister Aquinas Weber, OP ’58 Memorial Scholarship at Aquinas College.
Visitation, Remembering Service, and Mass of Christian Burial
Friday, December 12, 2025
Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Chapel, Aquinas College
Visitation: 1:15 – 3 p.m.; 5:30 – 9 p.m.
Remembering Service: 7 p.m.
Saturday, December 13, 2025
St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church (1429 Wilcox Park Dr., Grand Rapids, MI)
Visitation: 9 a.m.
Mass of Christian Burial: 9:30 a.m.
More Information and Resources
- Read memories of Sister Aquinas
- Share your memories of Sister Aquinas
- Read her detailed biography, "Going Where We Are Needed"
- Donate to the Sister Aquinas Weber, OP ’58 Memorial Scholarship